How do you care for yourself when you’re caring for your child’s many complex needs – and all the other demands of managing life, work, and other obligations? This two-part caregiver well-being series includes tips and practical strategies from ASXL parents and an experiential workshop facilitated by clinician Abigail Moretti, MA.
ASXL parent leaders Laura Badmaev (ASXL1/Bohring-Opitz Syndrome), Amanda Scheirer (ASXL2/Shashi-Pena Syndrome), Gracileia Morrison (ASXL3/Bainbridge-Ropers Syndrome), and Sankar Madhavan (ASXL3/Bainbridge-Ropers Syndrome) share practical tips and advice from their own personal experience finding ways to care for their mental and physical wellbeing while also caring for a child with complex needs. Discussion includes:
- Acknowledging feelings of grief and isolation
- Developing self-compassion and finding joy amidst daily challenges
- Creating opportunities for breaks in caregiving responsibilities
Published: June 2024
Clinician Abigail Moretti, MA (Rowan University Department of Psychology) shares several exercises, practical tips, and tools for navigating the journey of being a caregiver and an individual. Her presentation includes:
- An exercise to identify core family values of yours and turn those values into daily actions and goals
- Centering exercises
- Ideas for creative/unique times to practice mindfulness
- Techniques for defusion and a guided defusion exercise
Parent panelists suggest the following resources and information:
- 10 Minute Sound Healing
- 5 Minute Calming Breathwork
- Tara Brach Podcast
- Awareness by Anthony the Mello
- The Untethered Soul by Micheal Singer
- The Power of Now by Eckart Tolle
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- One Deep Breath app
- Apple Fitness+
- Courageous Parents Network
- Amanda Griffith-Atkinson (Instagram)
The information presented here is for educational purposes only. This information is not medical advice and should not be treated as such. You should always talk to your or your family member’s health care professionals for diagnosis and treatment, including information regarding which drugs or treatment may be appropriate for you or your family member. We do not represent or warrant that any particular treatment is safe, appropriate or effective for you or your family member. In the event of a medical emergency, you should contact your doctor immediately or call your local emergency service.
